Montgenèvre, on the French side of the famous Via Lattea (Milky Way) ski region, may not have the glamour of some of the larger resorts, but the flipside of that means that it is more laidback, family friendly, and definitely easier on the wallet. With a host of beginner and intermediate slopes, it’s also one of the more accessible resorts for children of varying skiing abilities. And as for fun off the slopes, that couldn’t be better for families either.
Great Skiing for Beginners
Montgenèvre has been rated as one of the best ‘mixed ability’ resorts in Europe, with approximately 50,000m2 dedicated to the nursery area. There are 59 slopes, with 25 of the runs classified beginner and 23 intermediate.
Lift passes are excellent value and, depending on the time of season, prices for a 6-day pass covering Montgenèvre and Claviere start at around €170. If your children are older and you want to take advantage of other linked resorts in the Via Lattea, including Sestriere, San Sicario, and Sauze D’Oulx, you can add a day extension, which start at about €16.
…and More
Skiing is certainly not the only activity for children in Montgenèvre. After a day on the slopes, if they’ve still got energy to burn head down to the ice-rink, where they (and you) can skate on natural ice under the stars in the floodlit open-air rink.
Prices start at €2 plus €3 for skate rental.
Children will love the novelty of tepee trekking, where you take an easy hike with a guide into the mountains, then enjoy a delicious lunch inside a genuine tepee!
€20 per person, discounts for children.
Get the adrenalin racing on the fast and furious luge, which is suitable for young and old. All day, or in the evening by floodlights, you can hurtle down the 1.5km track as many times as you like.
Prices are just €5 a ride if you have a 6-day ski pass.
There’s no member of the family that won’t love sledging, no matter what their age, and most hotels have a stash of sledges that you can borrow for some absolutely free fun on the nearby walkable distance pistes.
Family Friendly Dining
There are plenty of family friendly restaurants in the resort to please even the most discerning (or picky, in the case of children) palate. At the popular La Capitaine (La Praya, 05100), for example, you can get a budget-busting pizza starting from €8. If you follow it up with a round of their fabulous hot chocolates it’ll be happy families all round. For a great family atmosphere, Le Jamy (Rue de l’Église, 05100) serves up fabulous fondues, pasta, and fun ‘fruit shots’. Dine in the ‘lost cavern’ at the back of the restaurant for a unique experience kids will love.
For a family friendly ski holiday that won’t break the budget, put Montgenèvre on your wish list and make it happen!
How to Get to Montgenèvre
There are five airports within a three-hour drive of Montgenèvre, including Milan, Geneva, Chambery and Grenoble, so you’ll have plenty of options, but the closest is Turin Airport, at an around 80 minutes’ drive away. For the most convenient option to get you and your family from the airport right to the door of your accommodation, book a Turin airport bus with Shuttle Direct. Our driver will meet you at the airport and there’ll be no messing around waiting for public transport connections.
If you want to take a family road trip from the UK to Montgenèvre, it will take about 10 hours after you emerge from the Eurotunnel at Calais. There are several routes, but the best is via Reims, Dijon, Bourg en Bresse, Chambery, through the Frejus Tunnel to Oulx and then finally to Montgenèvre. (Be ready to pay a hefty €38 fee for the Frejus Tunnel, but if you’re returning within seven days you can get a greatly reduced return.)
Where to Stay:
Hôtel Edelweiss – It’s even got the right name for family holiday, and you’ll feel like the Von Trapps in the gorgeous 19th century Hôtel Edelweiss. With a beautiful warm, traditional timber décor, the whole family will feel right at home. Parents can relax in the dedicated reading room, while the youngsters can enjoy the lovely surrounds of the park outside, even in winter.
Le Grand Hotel – The bright, modern family rooms at Le Grand Hotel make for a wonderful base for an energetic, fun-filled winter holiday. Children are spoiled for things to do with sledging, swimming, and even a pool table onsite, while parents can take advantage of the babysitting service to enjoy a quiet dinner in the restaurant with stunning views over the mountains.
Aparthotel Hameau des Airelles – Children are never too young to enjoy the finer things in life, and that’s just what you’ll find at the Aparthotel Hameau des Airelles. Decorated in traditional chalet style, you’ll be charmed by the stunning views from your balcony over the slopes, or you can relax around the fireplace in the common lounge. Children will be impressed by the mini club, playground, and in-house entertainment, but they’ll be won over by the onsite house bakery service!
